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MONTREAL -- It wont take long for Thomas Vanek to get his first taste of the heated Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins rivalry. Jason Hammel Jersey . The 30-year-old acquired by Montreal at last weeks NHL trade deadline will play his first home game at the Bell Centre against the Bruins on Wednesday night. "Rivalries are for the fans," Vanek said Tuesday. "Theyre good for the league, but for us in here, and Im sure its the same as everywhere. Its just about winning the two points. "But Im sure the atmosphere will be great and I cant wait to experience it." Vanek has a reputation as a Bruins killer, with 61 points in 53 career games against Boston. So the acquisition of the high-scoring forward by Montreal gave an added jolt to the rivalry. But the Austrian winger said there are no secrets about how to score on the Bruins. "Numbers are numbers," he said. "Sometimes theyre overblown. "I dont prepare any different. Its just another game, really. Theyre a good team and youve got to be ready. The last four or five years, Boston has been one of the better teams in the league and you want to play your best against the best teams." The Canadiens are 2-0-0 against Boston this season and have won their last five meetings. But the Bruins (42-17-5) hold a comfortable 12-point lead over Montreal (35-24-7) in the Atlantic Division standings. Vanek was acquired while the Canadiens were on a four-game west coast road trip. So he didnt get in a full practice with his new team until it returned to Montreal. He was held without a point in his first two games with Montreal while playing on the second line with centre Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. Some feel he would do better on a more attack-oriented unit, as Plekanec is considered the clubs top defensive centre even if he can also contribute offensively. "Weve got to be good in our own zone and Plekanec is very good in all zones," said Vanek. "He can make plays. Hes great in faceoffs, great defensively, but at the same time, were expected to produce. "At least thats what Im expecting of myself." Coach Michel Therrien plans to keep the line together, at least for now. "It takes time for players to adapt to new teammates," said Therrien. "I want to be patient. I think that combination can work." Tuesdays session, which lasted more than an hour at the Bell Centre, saw goalie Carey Price take part in a full practice for the first time since leading Canada to gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Price aggravated a suspected groin injury in his first practice after the Sochi Games. Therrien said Price wont dress for the Boston game but will be re-evaluated at the end of the week. That opens the possibility of playing Saturday at home against Ottawa. Therrien also said Francis Bouillon, who has sat out the last seven games, will play. Montreal is hurting on defence with veteran Josh Gorges out at least four weeks with a fractured left hand. Gorges was hurt while blocking a shot during a 4-3 win over Toronto on March 1. He played the first two games of Montreals road trip but then was sent home to have his hand re-examined. Gorges said the original fracture was considered stable, so he could continue playing. But something happened during a win in Anaheim that made it unstable. "At that point, they felt it was best to get it fixed," he said. "Potentially, it might not have been able to heal at all so they decided to have it fixed now and have me back ready by the end of the year." He said playing through the injury was difficult, but possible. "I was able to do what I needed to contribute," he said. "Certain aspects were tough. "Grabbing my stick. Grabbing the puck if I needed to clear it on the penalty kill. But I was still able to make passes, receive passes. As long as I wasnt hurting the team, I was able to go." Justin Grimm Jersey . "Ive got a lot of work to do on this team and the sooner that I can get back to my office and start that work, itll be better," he said straight-faced as the rest of the room erupted in laughter. Burch Smith Jersey .S. military base for UFC: Fight for the Troops 3. This fight card, which takes place in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, has had a number of changes, including headliner Lyoto Machida replaced by fellow Brazilian Rafael Natal.Castleford coach Daryl Powell is calling for a positive response from his players as they look to avoid a fourth successive defeat when they kick off the Easter programme against Leeds on Thursday night. The Tigers suffered a humiliating 56-12 defeat to Warrington on Friday after which Powell apologised to fans.But hes hoping the intense rivalry of a derby with the reigning Super League champions will help stop the rot. Weve got a lot to do after last week to get some pride back, Powell said. Weve had a pretty honest week and Im confident after watching the players train today.Its a local derby, were at home and the place is going to be packed. Its a key game for us. Its against the team that all Castleford fans want us to beat more than any other.Castlefords stand-in captain Luke Gale knows about the rivalry with his home-town club as much as anyone.It would be good to bounce back against your local rivals, said Gale, a product of the Headingley academy who played for Doncaster, London Broncos and Bradford before joining the Tigers at the start of last season.Its not been a happy place this week but its a real good chance to bounce back. Highlights of Castlefords crushing defeat to Warrington I played for Leeds, I grew up in Leeds and Im a Leeds lad. I just think everyone gets up for a Leeds game and weve done well in the past against them.Im good friends with Danny McGuire and it would be good to get one over on him. I think hell be back to give them some guidance.McGuire, who was a late withdrawal from last Fridays win over St Helens, is finally expected to return from a knee injury sustained in the Rhinos opening game of the season, while Gale could have his half-back partner Ben Roberts alongside him after missing the last two games with a foot injury.It would be massive if we got him back, Gale said. If any team loses a half-back, they struggle. We were just getting a good combination going. He started the season off really well. Leeds Rhinos Danny McGuire will make a welcome return from injury Already without Michael Shenton, Oliver Holmes, Junior Moors and Luke Dorn, Castleford have lost Frankie Mariano and Matt Cook for this game but Powell is not looking for excuses.Were a little bit low on personnel but Leeds have been too and they found it tough, although theyve named a pretty strong squad for this one, Powell said. Castlefords Nathan Massey (left) has stepped into the 13 position for the last two games Weve still got a very good squad that will take the field. Trevor Cahill Jersey. Obviously we need to respond from what we did last week, that goes without saying. Its crucial for us.Leeds look sure to be without winger Ryan Hall but should have fellow England international Tom Briscoe back from a six-week injury lay-off to help plug the gap.Im really exited to get back out there and do what I can to help the team, said Briscoe, who sustained a leg injury in the second round at Widnes. Brian Carney previews the Easter weekend fixtures in Super League Its been really tough. I went through it last year when we were winning games, and its on the flip side this year, weve not been doing so well.Youd like to think you could improve the team but you never know until youre out there and the main thing is to get out there.Castleford Tigers: Ryan Boyle, Ben Crooks, Luke Gale, Ryan Hampshire, Jy Hitchcox, Lee Jewitt, Andy Lynch, Will Maher, Nathan Massey, Mike McMeeken, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Greg Minikin, Joel Monaghan, Ben Roberts, Denny Solomona, Gadwin Springer, Jake WebsterLeeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire (c), Rob Burrow, Keith Galloway, Beau Falloon, Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Liam Sutcliffe, Brett Delaney, Jimmy Keinhorst, Anthony Mullally, Josh Walters, Ash Handley, Brett FerresWatch Castleford v Leeds live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract. Phil Clarke brings you his top five Super League tries of the week ' ' '
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Activity: Nov 21 '19
Activity: Nov 21 '19